What Rifle grenade and launcher was used on m1903?

[Gear Fanatic]

He’ll I all, J am doing a display next year about the importance of rifle grenades and was hoping to start my research now I am focusing mostly on the m1903 as that seems to be the most prevalent. Any examples pictures information etc. of launchers ordnance or anything else I greatly appreciated!

[Charlie Flick]

Hello Gear Fanatic:

 

Rifle Grenades are a relatively popular topic here on the Forum.  You might want to do some forum searches to assist in your effort to gather information.

 

On the cartridges I suggest that you start with this informative thread:

 

Regards,

Charlie

[Gear Fanatic]

Thanks, I couldn’t find anything through searching. Guess I didn’t have the right search terms. Thanks!

[firstflabn]

Ordnance reports on the eve of D-Day show about equal numbers of M1 and M7 GLs in the ETO, with the first M7s having arrived in Dec 43. Of course that ignores how they were distributed. The vast majority of M903 Rifles would have been with service troops. If you want your display to focus on combat troops, and if it is about the ETO, then M7 might be a better choice.

 

It would take quite a bit of time and effort to examine which were in the hands of specific units at any particular point in time. And with very high loss rates for GLs, it's likely the M1 GL would not have been an unusual sight anywhere from front to rear.

 

Anecdotally, a QM Service Co. - a labor unit - in 1944 was authorized 52 M1903 Rifles and 52 M1 GLs. That's about 5x the per capita rate of an infantry rifle co.

 

Good luck with your project. Post some pics when you get it done.

[Gear Fanatic]

I’m mostly focused on the 39th IR  if the 9th ID from North Africa through Italy and Normandy. Into Germany I’m not terribly focused on. I feel like to the general public rifle grenadiers aren’t really appreciated or known even though they played a very important roll. Thanks for comments mute are definitely welcome including pics!

[The Rooster]

On 8/18/2024 at 5:00 PM, Gear Fanatic said:

Thanks, I couldn’t find anything through searching. Guess I didn’t have the right search terms. Thanks!

rifle grenade..................  403 results

 

https://www.usmilitariaforum.com/forums/index.php?/search/&q=rifle grenades&quick=1&search_and_or=and&sortby=relevancy&_fromLogin=1

[Gear Fanatic]

Thanks rooster. When I searched that J almost exclusively got rifle grenades and launchers for garands and VB launchers for m1903 thanks though. If anybody has any specific info regarding testimonies or working moving parts, combat use please send the link or pictures. Thanks!

[The Rooster]

33 minutes ago, Gear Fanatic said:

Thanks rooster. When I searched that J almost exclusively got rifle grenades and launchers for garands and VB launchers for m1903 thanks though. If anybody has any specific info regarding testimonies or working moving parts, combat use please send the link or pictures. Thanks!

 

http://www.inert-ord.net/usa03a/usarg/spigots/index.html

 

Maybe this will help?

[Inertord]

Neat WW2 Training Film Clip: 

 

[Gear Fanatic]

1 hour ago, The Rooster said:

 

http://www.inert-ord.net/usa03a/usarg/spigots/index.html

 

Maybe this will help?

thanks rooster that was definitely a good start!

[Latewatch]

The M1 Launcher for the M1903 rifle was adopted in September 1941 along with the M2 Launcher for the M1917 rifle. Early M1 and M2 Launchers had a narrow band that was soon changed out for a wider band. Many M2 Launchers were later modified for use on the M1903 rifle.

 

The Marine Corps also used WWI era VB Launchers on their M1903 rifles as late as Guadalcanal.

[ccyooper]

S, 

years ago I had a short flap 03 launcher but sold it because I was only into to Garand launchers and now like the screw on retention spring M7’s they are very hard to find. Regards 

[Gear Fanatic]

Thanks for the information late watch, that’s a nice little display case 👍